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Ecosystem functions beneath the tide: A trait-based study of tropical intertidal macrobenthos
Nosad Sahu1, Raj Kiran Lakra2, Ganesh Thiruchitrambalam3
1Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Andaman Campus, Sri Vijaya Puram, 744112, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India; Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Atal Bhavan, L.N.G. Road, Puthuvype, Kochi, 682508, India.
Trait-based analysis reveals habitat heterogeneity shapes intertidal macrobenthic communities. Complex habitats support diverse functions, while stressed sites show reduced functional richness and increased vulnerability.
Area of Science:
- Marine ecology
- Ecosystem functioning
- Coastal biology
Background:
- Intertidal zones are dynamic interfaces where habitat heterogeneity influences macrobenthic communities and ecosystem functions.
- Traditional taxonomic metrics inadequately capture organismal contributions to ecosystem processes like bioturbation and nutrient cycling.
- Trait-based approaches offer mechanistic insights into ecological change, but are underutilized in tropical intertidal systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate environmental drivers of macrobenthic functional trait composition in tropical intertidal zones.
- To determine if habitat complexity influences functional richness and redundancy.
- To assess the utility of trait-based analysis for understanding ecosystem functioning and resilience.
Main Methods:
- Employed Biological Trait Analysis (BTA) and multidimensional functional diversity indices.
- Utilized RLQ-fourth-corner analysis to link functional traits with environmental drivers.
- Analyzed macrobenthos across six contrasting coastal habitats near Port Blair, Andaman Islands.
Main Results:
- Identified key functional traits: burrowing, biodiffusion, subsurface deposit feeding, and low mobility.
- Habitat heterogeneity, specifically sediment texture and organic enrichment, significantly shaped trait composition and functional diversity.
- High-complexity sites exhibited greater functional richness and niche differentiation; stressed habitats showed compressed trait space and higher redundancy.
Conclusions:
- Trait-based approaches provide superior insights into ecosystem functioning and resilience compared to taxonomic metrics.
- Habitat complexity is a critical factor influencing functional diversity and community stability in intertidal zones.
- Functional diversity indicators are essential for effective coastal monitoring amidst increasing environmental pressures.
